Cambodia Holiday Ideas

Hidden Gems of Rural Cambodia
Suggested Holiday Itinerary

This expertly tailored holiday will take you on an adventure to explore the remote, hidden gems of Cambodia’s North East. Before veering totally off-the-beaten-track your guide will introduce you to the spectacular Angkor temples, from the rightfully popular Angkor Wat to less-explored Koh Ker and Beng Melea.

Exploring the Temples of Angkor with your expert guide

Getting immersed in the secrets of Cambodia’s past in the capital Phnom Penh

Feeling a sense of discovery as you visit remote riverside villages

Looking for endangered wildlife in the remote forests of Ratanakiri

Spotting Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong River

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

Day 1 - depart the uk

Depart the UK

Day 2 - siem reap

Arrive in Siem Reap where you will be met by your guide and driver who transfer you to your hotel.

Day 3 - siem reap

This morning your guide will meet you to begin your exploration of the Angkor region. First up is a visit to Ta Prohm which has been largely consumed by the jungle. As you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you'll marvel at the many giant trees growing out of the temple itself.

You’ll also visit other highlights of the Angkor complex such as Preah Khan and Neak Poan, a delicate temple surrounded by fountains and pond, and Ta Som with its famous strangler fig tree.

The day ends at Pre Rup, built in the 10th Century; this is a great place to watch the sun set over the Cambodian rice fields.

Day 4 - siem reap

You rise early today to catch the sunrise over the mother of all temples and the world’s largest religious building, Angkor Wat. After breakfast back at the hotel you will have time to explore Angkor Wat in more detail.

Later today you visit Angkor Thom which is a Royal “city” first built in the 11th Century/ Visit many of the key parts of the city such as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

You’ll enjoy lunch at Home Stay Restaurant in Banteay Srei Village before exploring Banteay Srei temple. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures and it is said they must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man.

Day 5 - kampong thom

Transfer to Kampong Thom with your guide and driver to discover Cambodia village life. En route discover Sambor Prei Kuk, some of the most striking and remarkable examples of 7th Century Pre-Angkorian art (615-650AC) and explore Kampong Thom town itself.

Day 6 - stung treng

Leave Kampong Thom and drive along the banks of the Mekong, stopping in Stung Treng. Spend the afternoon exploring this border town which sits along the banks of the San River and the Mekong Rivers as they converge and cross from Laos into Cambodia. Stung Treng was historically an important base for Viet Cong guerrillas during the 1970s and was bombed heavily during this time, although many areas have been extensively rebuilt since.

Day 7 - ratanakiri

After a morning boat trip to see villages along the Mekong, you head into the ethnically diverse and remote border province of Ratanakiri. Check in to Terres Rouge, a beautifully converted colonial mansion in Ratanakiri’s capital Ban Lung.

Day 8 - ratanakiri

In the afternoon take a walk through the remote villages with a tribal guide. Visit the shores of stunning Yeak Loam Lake, a perfect disc-shaped volcanic crater where you can swim in full cool clean water, before heading through the thick forest to visit a “Tompuon” farm and a nearby village.

Day 9 - ratanakiri

Today travel by jeep to the remote district of Andong Meas and then continue on foot to a nearby Jarai village to experience the indigenous lifestyle of this isolated forest community, including a visit to a Jarai cemetery complete with ancestral tombs.

Day 10 - Veun Sai-Siem Pang gibbon Research Centre

After an early pick up this morning from Terres Rouge, begin your foray into the remote Cambodian jungle for a totally unique experience with the wildlife of the region. Northern yellow-cheeked gibbons are an endangered species only discovered in 2010 and Ratanakiri has the largest population in the world.

Arrive at the Veun Sai-Siem Pang Research Centre where you will stay amongst the scientists and researchers as they go about their vital conservation work.

Tonight you take a night time jungle trek to observe some of the other fascinating animals living in this area including the pygmy-loris and the civet. Stay overnight at the Research Centre.

Day 11 - Veun Sai-Siem Pang gibbon Research Centre

This morning rise early to hear the dawn chorus of the gibbons. The different groups start to call (sing) at sunrise with some calls carrying up to 2km. Once the habituated group of gibbons start to sing, the gibbon guide will try to locate them in the forest as fast as possible and guide you to the spot so you can watch them as they go about their morning activities in the tree canopy.

Take another afternoon jungle trek after lunch before staying overnight at the Research Centre.

Day 12 - ratanakiri

This morning you will have another opportunity to spot the gibbons in the forest at sunrise. Sometimes the gibbons can be followed for a couple of hours as they move through the jungle gathering fruit to eat and your expert guides will help you to track their movements.

Pack up after breakfast and return back to Ban Lung for a final night at Terres Rouge. Stop off at a number of idyllic countryside villages on the way for another view of rural life in this part of Cambodia.

Day 13 - kratie

This morning transfer from Ratanakiri to Kratie on the banks of the Mekong River. After lunch at a local restaurant you will take a boat trip on the Mekong to see extremely rare Irrawaddy dolphins that call this stretch of the Mekong home.

Day 14 - phnom penh

After an overnight stay in Kratie, transfer on to the capital city, Phnom Penh. Travel via the central Cambodian province of Kampong Cham, visiting the 11th Century Kuhak Nokor Temple and Wat Nokor, an 11th Century Mahayana Buddhist shrine.

Day 15 - phnom penh

During a full day tour you can visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Emerald Buddha and the National Museum. You'll also have the option of visiting Toul Sleng, formerly used by the Pol Pot regime as a detention centre, and the killing fields. This is a moving example of the difficulties faced by Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.

Day 16 - fly home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

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Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 or use the quote request form below for your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)